Component Task: Reporting the Absconded Psychiatric Patient

This is the act of reporting an in-patient who leaves the ward/hospital unexpectedly without the authority/knowledge of the Nurse(s)/Psychiatrist/Hospital Administrator. Absconding is a major issue of mental health safety concern due to the potential risk of patient harming self or others when he/she leaves the hospital environment without full recovery.

Aims

·         Notify nursing staff and other members of the mental health team of patient’s absence

·         Notify the next of kin/relative(s)

·         Help trace the whereabouts of patient

·         Prevent medico-legal issues

·         Reduce the potential risk of harm to self and others

Requirements

·         Patient’s folder (electronic/manual)

·         Incident book

·         Nurse(s)

·         Admission and Discharge book

·         Daily ward state

Steps

1.        Search the immediate ward for patient. If not found;

2.      Get other nurses to assist you search the ward and hospital environment

3.      Inform the Charge Nurse immediately if patient is still not found

4.      Inform the following that the patient has absconded:

·         Prescriber

·         Hospital Security officer

·         Psychiatric Social welfare officer

·         Police

·         Media

5.      Provide the above mentioned personnel with the appropriate information about the absconded patient. (e.g. name, age, sex, physique, residential address, etc.)

6.      Inform next of kin

7.       Document abscond of patient in the patient’s folder, daily ward state, incident book (stating the time patient’s absence was realized)

8.      Ensure patient is discharged in absentia by the prescriber if he/she fails to return within 72 hours and document appropriately

9.      Gather and label patient’s personal belongings for safe keeping


0 Comments

Search This Blog